DOLK STATION

■DOLK Staff (hereinafter D): When did you establish Maker?


■Monochrome: It all started in 2014 when I started selling dolls in small quantities using my personal blog.
The current Monochrome was officially founded in February 2017.

■D: Could you tell us the origin of Maker 's name, "Monochrome"?


■Monochrome: When creating a doll prototype, a finishing agent (surfacer) is used as a final coating, so the piece is completed when it turns gray in appearance.
The name "Monochrome" comes from the fact that the design appears to be made up entirely of monotone tones.

■D: How many people are currently running the business?


■Monochrome: For now I'm working alone, in charge of design, planning, and management.
When I'm really busy at work, my younger brother helps me. I outsource my makeup.

■D: Please tell us the process from designing a new doll to selling it as a new product (e.g. deciding on the concept → rough design by sketching → meeting → head production, etc.) and how long it takes to create a new doll.


■Monochrome: For my usual concepts, I sketch whatever ideas come to mind at the time, and then I choose one idea that makes the biggest impression on me and use it as a product.
The time it takes to make a new head varies, but if you are making just the head, it takes about 1-2 months. If you are making the whole body, it takes about 8 months to a year.

■D: A question for the sculptor: is there anything in particular that you pay particular attention to when creating the head or body?

■Monochrome: The overall body line is given the greatest importance.
The body joints are also designed with the body lines in mind.

■D: Can you tell us what first got you interested in dolls?


■Monochrome: When I was in junior high school, I loved manga and anime, so naturally I had more opportunities to come into contact with dolls. It wasn't until I was in high school that I actually bought a doll and it became a serious hobby.

■D: Have you ever studied doll making at a vocational school or other institution?


■Monochrome: I majored in a department that specialized in learning animation. After graduating from animation school, I learned how to make dolls by going to a workshop while working.

■D: What are the main tools you use when making things?


■Monochrome: Many different materials are used, but the main materials and tools used are Shiba tools and epoxy putty.
Recently, I've been reminded of the joy of using stone powder clay and have been using it to create body sculptures.

■D: What is the most difficult part about making a doll?


■Monochrome: I don't know if other sculptors can relate, but personally, the finishing process is the most difficult part.
The sanding process takes a significant amount of time to achieve a smooth, scratch-free surface.

■D: The other day you re-released the heeled feet for boys. Do you have any plans to release new shoes that will fit these heeled feet in the future, or any other new parts?
For example, different sizes of heels for boys...


■Monochrome: The body currently being produced is a 65cm boy's body.
The "heeled foot" part was actually a "heeled leg" that reached down to the calf at the time of planning.
However, I thought that in order for many doll owners to enjoy compatibility with a variety of bodies, it was necessary to have "heeled feet" without a calf area, so I made a correction midway through production and continued with production.
Once the body currently under development is completed, I am thinking of releasing it in a configuration that includes a "heel leg" part that extends up to the calf.

■D: Of all the dolls you've made, is there one that you feel special about? If so, I'd be grateful if you could also tell me the reason why you feel special about it.


■Monochrome: The one I have the strongest feelings for is the "Eric R." It was the first head I sold during my blogging days, so it's a very special head to me.

D: Of the dolls you've sold, are there any that are particularly popular?


■Monochrome: We haven't had a head that is as overwhelmingly popular as the heeled one that we resold the other day. (laughs)

■D：Please tell us about any future developments or goals that Monochrome is aiming for.


■Monochrome: When I first started the site, my goal was to create something that I would want to have myself, so I feel like I've already achieved about half of that goal.
However, there is no end to the things I want to do, so I always want to create new things while I can still live a healthy lifestyle.

■D: Please give a message to your Japanese Monochrome fans!


■Monochrome: I started making dolls on my own, and I never imagined that they would become popular in Japan, so I'm very happy.

We hope to continue to develop dolls that everyone will love and work even harder to meet their expectations so that people will continue to take an interest in the Monochrome Maker!

■D: Thank you for answering so many questions!

Although it has been three years since the blog started, I was surprised to learn that the current site has only been officially established about six months ago.
I am really looking forward to the completion of the new 65cm body and the dreamy heel legs for the boy doll.

Besides the body, we are also looking forward to seeing the new head!

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